The head of the Osoyoos Indian Band’s Nk’Mip Forestry company was recognized for their responses to recovering after the Nk’Mip Creek Wildfire in 2021.
Peter Flett, the head of forest operations, received the award from the BC Forest Professional Magazine (FPBC) for his article Keys to Improving Forest Recovery Post-wildfire: The Critical Roles of Proper Planning, Implementation, and First Nations’ Collaboration.
The award was presented at the annual FPBC conference in Kelowna over Feb. 7 to 9.
“Our forestry team at the Osoyoos Indian Band (Nk’Mip Forestry LLP) are fortunate to have the opportunity to highlight this wildfire restoration project and our collaboration process by outlining the steps taken to ensure we met the expectations of our community members,” said Flett in a press release. “In an era of consistent catastrophic wildfires across B.C., it’s important that recovery responses to these fires are not rushed and forestry companies and staff take the extra time to work with their local Indigenous communities and discuss the numerous values impacted by salvage and restoration efforts.”
Flett’s article delves into how to better collaborate on forest management based on the knowledge he has gained working with members of the OIB community.
In addition to recognizing the standout work in Flett’s article, the FPBC recognized Nk’Mip Forestry for its response to the wildfire. The Nk’Mip Creek Wildfire covered over 19,000 hectares of land near Oliver and Osoyoos in 2021.
At the award ceremony, Flett thanked the OIB forestry team, members of the community and the Chief and Council for their support.